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In the latest Israeli bombing in Gaza, at least 125 people lost their lives, as reported by the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. The heavy bombardment coincided with ongoing truce talks in Cairo. UN humanitarian agency OCHA noted fresh evacuation orders issued by Israeli forces for a section of Khan Yunis, impacting around half a million residents and displaced individuals.
Amid the escalating conflict, the World Food Programme highlighted “catastrophic food insecurity” in Gaza. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticized Israel for rejecting a two-state solution, emphasizing its importance for lasting peace. The focal point of intense fighting was Khan Yunis, the birthplace of Hamas’s Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar.
Gaza hospitals received the bodies of 125 people killed overnight, according to the health ministry, while Hamas claimed more than 200 casualties. Accusing the Israeli army of forcibly displacing tens of thousands from Khan Yunis to Rafah, the Palestinian Red Crescent reported three displaced individuals killed when Israeli forces targeted its headquarters.
The Gaza war began with unprecedented attacks by Hamas on October 7, resulting in about 1,140 deaths in Israel. In response, Israel launched a relentless military offensive, causing significant casualties in Gaza. Pressure has mounted on the Israeli government to end the conflict, especially after 24 soldiers were killed in the deadliest single day of ground operations in Gaza.
Israeli officials faced scrutiny over a plan to create a “buffer zone” inside Gaza, leading to casualties during the operation. The World Food Programme warned of worsening conditions, with over half a million people facing catastrophic food insecurity. US President Biden’s envoy, Brett McGurk, engaged in talks to broker a deal for a pause in fighting in exchange for freeing captives.
Meanwhile, the Gaza war raised concerns of wider regional escalation, with US strikes on Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Yemen. Hezbollah in Lebanon struck an Israeli air control base in response to perceived Israeli actions, prompting Israeli military responses. The conflict’s toll on civilians, displacement, and humanitarian conditions remains a critical concern amid international efforts to seek a resolution.
